Best time to visit Nicaragua
In Masaya, every Sunday in Oct and Nov, dancers perform El Baile de Negras. Beautiful and skilfully. And masked. Which conceals the fact that they are all men.
There may be peak times to visit, but there is no best time to visit Nicaragua; it has something glorious all year round. The dry season is Nov-April and the wet season May-Oct so generally, it is busier in the former. In the rainy season the Caribbean is wetter than the Pacific, where afternoon showers last an hour or two. Easter week is very busy, but as local people head to the coast or lakes, the towns are empty. Check out Purísima Festival at the beginning of Dec, with fireworks throughout the month and into New Year.
Nicaragua Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
21
31
3
FEB
21
32
1
MAR
22
33
4
APR
23
33
17
MAY
23
32
153
JUN
23
31
291
JUL
23
31
152
AUG
23
31
162
SEP
22
30
268
OCT
22
30
293
NOV
21
30
70
DEC
21
30
19
Our Nicaragua Vacations
Costa Rica and Nicaragua self drive vacation
Self drive vacation through the best of Nicaragua and Costa Rica
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16 days
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Nicaragua vacation, Cobbled Streets to Coral Reefs
Colonial cities, Volcanoes, Homestays and Caribbean Islands
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£1525
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Nicaragua adventure vacation
Discover remote destinations on this exciting adventure
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Central America cycling vacations
Explore Central America's volcanoes, rainforests and beaches
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Family vacation in Nicaragua
A great adventure experience with your family in Nicaragua.
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US $2050
12 days
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Central America highlights vacation, culture & nature
Discover the cultural and natural highlights of Central America
From
£3757
19 days
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Biking vacation in Costa Rica and Nicaragua
Cycling adventure through Nicaragua and Costa Rica
From
US $1620 to US $1770
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Nicaragua vacations, tailor made tour
An insight into Nicaragua's fascinating and tumultuous history
From
£3650
13 days
inc UK flights
Nicaragua & El Salvador tour
A Central American adventure, away from the tourist trail
From
£2599 to £2699
17 days
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North and Central America overland tour
Explore North & Central America on this epic overland
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£7000 to £7215
109 days
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Central America highlights tour
Experience five Central American countries in just two weeks
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US $2150 to US $2420
17 days
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Nicaragua highlights, small group tour
Explore the largest Central American country of Nicaragua
From
£2675
13 days
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Central America small group tour
Epic Central American journey from Mexico to Costa Rica.
From
US $2635 to US $3620
33 days
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Nicaragua multisport vacation
An active trip through Nicaragua's beautiful highlights!
From
US $1765 to US $1895
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Anchorage to Tierra Del Fuego tour by overland truck
Epic overland trip from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego
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£11910 to £12265
210 days
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Nicaragua adventure vacation, river canoeing expedition
Stunning tailormade kayaking adventure on Rio San Juan
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US $3375
10 days
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Nicaragua bespoke vacation, fire, water and revolution
Discover the culture and landscape of beautiful Nicaragua
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£2186
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Central America tours
Travel through 6 Central American countries
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£2593 to £2749
22 days
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Things to do in Nicaragua
Things to do in Nicaragua…
Things not to do in Nicaragua…
Our top Nicaragua Vacation
Costa Rica and Nicaragua self drive vacation
Self drive vacation through the best of Nicaragua and Costa Rica
From
£3130
16 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Nicaragua or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Nicaragua travel advice
Cultural tips
Cultural tips
Jessica Schugel from our Nicaragua vacations specialist, Buen Viaje Tours:
“Nicaragua is caliente – not just in temperature, but also in the culture and the people. There is something very special about it. It’s a hot climate so everyone is out on the street, enjoying the breeze. There is a lot of talk and gossip. It’s a bit like the Latin American telenovelas, or soap operas, but a living one. They also just put their sexuality out there. It’s natural, it’s not taboo, and they are very open generally. However, dress respectfully, because even though Nicaraguans are comfortable revealing their bodies, that tends to be on top. The women always wear longer dresses or jeans. They show off their tops, but legs are covered. So wearing skimpy skirts or shorts will make tourists stick out like sore thumbs.”
“Nicaragua is caliente – not just in temperature, but also in the culture and the people. There is something very special about it. It’s a hot climate so everyone is out on the street, enjoying the breeze. There is a lot of talk and gossip. It’s a bit like the Latin American telenovelas, or soap operas, but a living one. They also just put their sexuality out there. It’s natural, it’s not taboo, and they are very open generally. However, dress respectfully, because even though Nicaraguans are comfortable revealing their bodies, that tends to be on top. The women always wear longer dresses or jeans. They show off their tops, but legs are covered. So wearing skimpy skirts or shorts will make tourists stick out like sore thumbs.”
Shopping tip
Shopping tip
Scott Marquardt, tour leader with our supplier Tucan Travel:
“One of the best things you can buy is a beautiful handcrafted hammock made by deaf workers at the Café de Sonrisas in León, Nicaragua. By purchasing a hammock you’re supporting a fantastic non-profit organisation that helps the deaf, and they’ll ship to anywhere in the world.”
“One of the best things you can buy is a beautiful handcrafted hammock made by deaf workers at the Café de Sonrisas in León, Nicaragua. By purchasing a hammock you’re supporting a fantastic non-profit organisation that helps the deaf, and they’ll ship to anywhere in the world.”
Food tips
Food tips
Jessica Schugel from our supplier, Buen Viaje Tours:
“I think that there is a greater wealth of really interesting food in Nicaragua than in surrounding countries. But if you don’t know what is out there, you won’t find it. You have to go in search of it, but it is diverse. Which is why I run foodie tours. Also, because the Nicaraguans find something to celebrate every day of the year, it always revolves around food.”
“I think that there is a greater wealth of really interesting food in Nicaragua than in surrounding countries. But if you don’t know what is out there, you won’t find it. You have to go in search of it, but it is diverse. Which is why I run foodie tours. Also, because the Nicaraguans find something to celebrate every day of the year, it always revolves around food.”
Tips from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Nicaragua travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Nicaragua travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
The most memorable bit? - The kayaking trip itself - fantastic. Brilliant guides, good food, comfortable camping and accommodation, saw lots of wildlife...
– Kam Datta on a river canoeing vacation
“There are legal money changers on street corners in Leon and Granada. These give a much better exchange rate than banks or the Cambio at the airport.” - Stephen Osgerby
“The most memorable bit? - The kayaking trip itself - fantastic. Brilliant guides, good food, comfortable camping and accomodation, saw lots of wildlife. Go for it! Be prepared for quite basic accommodation & amenities at times (although we did not mind it at all). Bring some wet-wipes as in some places washing facilities. Also consider bringing small roll of toilet paper.” – Kam Datta on a river canoeing vacation
“The most memorable bit? - The kayaking trip itself - fantastic. Brilliant guides, good food, comfortable camping and accomodation, saw lots of wildlife. Go for it! Be prepared for quite basic accommodation & amenities at times (although we did not mind it at all). Bring some wet-wipes as in some places washing facilities. Also consider bringing small roll of toilet paper.” – Kam Datta on a river canoeing vacation
More about Nicaragua
Luscious, lava and littoral sums up Nicaragua quite neatly. This is no longer a "poor man's Costa Rica", it's a warm and welcoming country with two coasts, paradise islands, 19 active volcanoes - and a fraction of the visitors of its southern neighbour. Take a look at our interactive map to discover Central America's vastest lake, crystalline calderas, howler monkeys and hummingbirds, and the exquisite Pueblos Blancos - filled with skilled artisans.
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Photo credits: [Page banner: LMspencer] [weather chart: Carnaval.com Studios]
[Things to do: jyuen1314]
[Cultural tips: Jorge Mejía peralta]
[Shopping tip: Jessica Schugel ]
[Food tips: Jessica Schugel ]
[Tip1: Adam Baker]
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